AHH Giveaway #5 - 11-8-09

[chk428]

I'm a Christian. And the experiment is over. You guys are responding the same exact way I do when I debate against atheists. All your arguments are the ones I usually use to support God. It's funny how you can still use the same defensive arguments I use YET you don't believe in God. This is hilarious. Are you guys sure you're not self loving humanists?

[AJOAndre2]

"self loving Humanist"

You say that like it's a bad thing, but anyway what I'm seeing in this video is a pretty selfless act, by some very kind people. I guess if it were christians in this video you'd be bending over backwards to praise them non stop. Why can't you just be happy that those people weren't going to go hungry that day? Why does everything good deed done have to be in the name of god, and not just out of kindness and empathy?

[GeminoSmothers]

@AJOAndre2 sums it up well.

[ShakaVahn]

There is nothing wrong with loving yourself, or being a humanist.

[freef49]

Firstly the Genesis myth has been disproven. If he does exist then he's the one with an ego problem why would an all powerful all knowing being want to be worshiped and have his ego stoked 24/7.

[aajoeyjo]

chk-It really seems like you just WANT us to have bad intentions. Survival of the fittest doesn't apply to civilized human societies where the minorities, downtrodden and other vulnerable groups actually get equal treatment.

You're thinking of buffalo and sharks and elephants...not humans.

[FreePlay]

"a hypocrite atheist who preaches survival of the fittest"

Nobody does that.

[FreePlay]

Whenever that force finds the time to show itself, I'll care about it.

[FreePlay]

You're really not getting this whole "you can't get an 'ought' from an 'is'" thing, are you?

[freef49]

Because older people generally had the knowledge to get the resources so to gain these incites/knowledge you would have to give something in return. It's basically a "mis-firing" a very importing on at that.

[FreePlay]

You're absolutely right. I do have an agenda. I get satisfaction out of helping other people.

[chk428]

Thank you. Now for the next few weeks ask yourself how authentic and worthy that is. You help people for personal pleasure. That is selfish. It is much better to give in the name of God than to give in the name of yourself.

[freef49]

How so?

[aajoeyjo]

Are you not getting any personal pleasure from sharing God?

[FreePlay]

Feel free to explain why it's better to do things in the name of something that doesn't exist.

[billyshake]

Okay, you're either making a rather clever, but dry joke here, or you're a really fucked up little dude. If it's the latter, you need to get off the internet -- the devil made the internet. Run away.

[FreePlay]

No, you're not reminding us of our beliefs. You're telling us what they are, and you are wrong.

[freef49]

Because helping people is the right thing to do, on this subject the Catholics have a terrible track record of not helping those in need that are gay, use contraceptives, or are not believers.

[chk428]

You say helping people is the right thing to do... says who? What proof do you have that it is the right thing to do? I can understand if society is in chaos then it needs order. But once order is a established why help the weak links in society instead of letting them die off like in the animal kingdom? You weaken the human blood line with that kind of thinking.

[freef49]

Because my concience tells me what is right and wrong. Just because you don't believe in a god like dictator dosn't mean you lose your concience. Stephen Hawkins is a good example of someone that when taken care of due to his disablities is one of our best minds of todays society, one of the reasons we show take care of everyone.

[chk428]

Free do you think there is a universal truth in accordance with your conscience?

[freef49]

No, my conscience is evolved over millions of years, why is it so hard for you to accept this?

[FreePlay]

Says who? Says me.

The fact that evolution is about survival of the species says ABSOLUTELY NOTHING about our ability to develop a sense of ethics. You cannot derive an "ought" from an "is".

[FreePlay]

I'm sorry that you think so little of our species.

[aajoeyjo]

One need not adhere to your rules of survival of the fittest in order to avoid god-belief. In fact, it seems obvious that religion is the ultimate example of survival of the fittest. For centuries, religious people have fought wars over religion, gods, holy land, and just plain religious bigotry.

[freef49]

No it's not breaking any rules of nature because if your to survive as a group everyone must but taken care of and work together. A ruthless group has less chance of surviving so if we stick together as a group we are more likely to survive read Richard Dawkins's evolution books you will understand what i mean. If that is the only reason you do good that is really sad, I do good because it's the right thing to do...

[FreePlay]

Because they're people.

[aajoeyjo]

Isn't this amazing? Most Christians who have heard about AHH love the idea. They usually don't question why we do it.

I would question someone's intentions if they ask something like that, why do we help people in need? What a thin set of morals they must have in order to not immediately figure these things out!

I'm glad the common denominator between theists and Atheists is the human inside each of us.

[freef49]

Why wouldn't you? Thats the most stupid question i have ever heard. Why do you help people? Is it cause if you don't you will go to hell? What kind of morals is that?

[qblldp]

What homeless really need. Is a free mobile phone, to call the police and receive calls from an organization that offers them jobs.

[emoney0420]

Hi joe this is Eric bethanys husband. As u know i am christian. Some people on here have some good points . Christians judge people. And that is so true most of them are hypocrites. And thats not how they should be acting. I believe that no one is better than the other guy. No one is perfect. It does not matter if your a christian or a atheist. We should love and help one another. And thats just what your doing. So THANK YOU for giving up your time. Keep up the good work Joe.

[aajoeyjo]

Hey thanks that's real friendly of ya. It's nice to know that we don't have to try to be perfect, cause it won't happen anyway. Imperfection rocks!

[Toudiyama]

I'm glad to see the handouts are getting more succesfull, I'm sad to see so many people need help

[jessie74]

Another great job !!

[fedea82]

You have "Proud to be an american atheist" on your shirts.

What is there to be proud of any of those two things?

Atheism is a lack of blind faith, and being american is just a coincidence, an accident in which you had nothing to be praised about. In fact the US history would give me several reasons to not be proud, if I were living there...

Maybe you should put something like "Proud to be helping people and creating a good example". Period.

[aajoeyjo]

Well obviously we have something to say in addition to wanting to help some people in need.

The stated goals of this group are:

1 To help some folks in need a bit,

2 to show by example that the idea that Atheists have no basis for morals and therefore don't care about people in need and don't help them, is very very false, and

3 to have fun.

So yes we're going to show and talk about what kind of caring people we are, and why it's so important to us. We're disproving a bad myth.

[fedea82]

Points 1 and 3 are great.

Point 2 can´t be proven. You care about others, so do I. But there are selfish atheists also...

So I imagine that theists are going to point you out as "the exception", altough I don´t think so.

I believe that most humans have the instinct of compassion in them, regardless of faith, but again, I can´t prove that by helping others.

[aajoeyjo]

We're not trying to say that all Atheists are this way. Just that it's wrong to say that all Atheists are not.

If one compassionate Atheist helps someone in need, that same idea is disproven. We pack a few more than that. That's worthy of mentioning.

Hey we don't preach Atheism. Did you at least notice that much? How about when they say "God bless you," we don't jump down their throats, or even use each time they say that to preach Atheism. Did you see the Jesus preaching vid I posted?

[fedea82]

Point taken. But on the other hand, if someone thinks ALL atheists are selfish, then they are blind, and they won´t take notice of your effort...

I´ll watch the Jesus preaching vid as soon as I can.

By the way, watch the debate on youtube:

"Intelligence Squared Debate: Christopher Hitchens and Stephen Fry vs. The Catholics"

It´s sweet! Specially the result of the poll in the end....it´s one of those thhings that makes me smile!!! Take care.

[aajoeyjo]

We've already had at least one homeless person change their mind about us - vocally. Yes, even some homeless folks believe that lie that we godless don't care about people in need because only religion provides morality.

At first she asked Marla if we were "of the devil." Marla said no, and then the woman asked if she should walk away to protect her soul. Again Marla said no! She said we were there to help everyone we could, regardless of religion or lack thereof. Booya!

[fedea82]

Again, point taken. Maybe you´ll change more of those mindsets...I hope so!

You´ve proven me wrong :), congrats!

Keep up the good work.

[aajoeyjo]

Oh you give up too easy! You should point out the things that I worry about! My big nose, my crappy organizing work on how we actually give these things out, all the bad camera angles, etc.

Seriously I appreciate constructive criticism, and you've been real friendly about this, so I say thank you. :o)

[aajoeyjo]

Point 2 is proven every time we do one of these giveaways, and indeed every time an Atheist helps someone in need because it's the right thing to do. Someone needs help, and that's all we need to hear, but this project represents more at work. More reasons, more justification and more people helped.

I know not all Atheists are caring and compassionate or want to help people in need. That's okay. This is not for everyone anyway. It's still true however that not all of us just sit by.

[fedea82]

PS: There´s nothing wrong with "preaching" anything, if you are open to debate it.

[aajoeyjo]

Wait, I'm confuzzled. You don't like us mentioning that we're Atheists, but you don't mind us preaching Atheism? Or just debating it there? Which is it?

On the second giveaway, we actually had a Christian preacher want to talk to us at length about our Atheism, and this was right as we were done and leaving. I said no thanks, I wasn't there to preach or debate, only to help folks in need, and I took off.

Maybe he'll show up at another one and we'll debate all friendly like.

[fedea82]

What?

I didn´t say I didn´t like you to mention you were an atheist!!!! I´ve only said that I disagree with anyone being proud of it.

[aajoeyjo]

Oh well that sounds like the same thing. What's not to be proud of? Just look at the news...

Or just read my book...now in video form! :o)

[fedea82]

It´s not the same thing at all....I had already explained to you why....

And you do have bad camera angles!!!!LOL

[aajoeyjo]

Well I spent several years of my life as an unwilling participant in Christianity, so now that I'm able to avoid that and still formulate my own ideals and actions, I'm proud of that change. I'm proud of where I am now.

Still you really should check out my book "Leaving the Quiet Room."

[fedea82]

Well, we have that in common, in fact I was a catholic most of my life.

I am ashamed of that in a way....but again, I can´t be proud of now having a lack of belief in fairytales...for me it´s just that. I can´t be proud of what I´m not (of not being a believer). I can be proud of lots of things that actually are really worthy of being proud. Atheism is probably (and hopefully!) the future of mankind, it´s almost the natural result

of thinking evolution.

Where can I get your book?

[aajoeyjo]

I often think of how a lifelong slave in the south in the 1860s must've felt when suddently they became free. It's must've been incredible. For me, there's just something special about being able to exist an entire day without having to bow down to a person or a statue or some unseen creature we all have to apologize to. Just for living!

I'm still looking for a publisher, but meanwhile I'm not waiting around to put it out there. It's one of my playlists: "Leaving the Quiet Room."

[fedea82]

Well, to me there´s nothing special to be atheist, nor to be free. It´s the most common thing we could expect nowadays, and particularly in the future generations.

Actually, the opposite (being a slave and a theist), are more special with each passing day. Well, as you can see, I am an analythical bastard!!!! And I am proud of that :)

I´ll check out your video and your book, soon, I hope I´ll enjoy them. Don´t forget to watch the debate I told you! Believe me, you´ll be glad in the end.

[samOFblorx]

I love these vids. Look how it's growing! I don't know where homeless people gather where I am, but once I start working again, I'd LOVE to start something like this in my area.

[aajoeyjo]

samOFblorx - You rock! I'm so glad we have fans. I'd love for you to come visit Austin, and experience this in person with us. It really is fun.

But yet, also start one in your town! I will be happy to help you with advice, encouragement, publicity, whatever.

Uppity Atheists Unite! :o)

[samOFblorx]

Thanks for the encouragement, and I'd be honored to come down there someday. I expect you'll be doing it for a while? Until then, I'll be doing my best with donations.

Thanks! I'm sure I'll need it if/when I start one of my own!

[kevinparedes123]

shit, lucky you, my family says that im possest by a demon!!!

[TheUnmaskedMagician]

how long dose that stuff last?? it look like it goes quick.

great job guys!!

[aajoeyjo]

My camera timer says we gave things out for about 35 minutes, and then stood around and yaked about it for another 9 minutes. It goes quickly, but I'd say it took longer each time, as we added more and more items to what we have to give out.

We are working on getting more organized about it too.

[sheepwshotguns]

you're doing great work keeping them on their feet joe!

[Slapnuts6931]

good job man. I wish you could just call it people helping people and leave the athiest out of it. I know you do too. the point is well taken. Im sure these guys appreciate not having god shoved in their face. peace.

[aajoeyjo]

Well why not address two problems at once? All my life I've been told that something like this wouldn't happen, not because of the cost and effort required, but because of the morality required.

Talking about our Atheism adds to the fun all around, apparently. We also have a report of one person asking Marla quietly, "Is this of the devil? Are these people evil? Should I walk away now and not risk my soul?"

Even right there, our clarification is needed, and was obtained.

[SkullVodka]

I agree, but atheists are clearly way cooler, that is a fact. Good job guys.

[aajoeyjo]

Yeah we weren't there to pwn anyone. lol

[metalgearsolidrulez]

I'm homeless, you guys are nice.If only there were more people like you.(cookie for whoever gets the joke)

[ltzippy2]

Please accept $20 from a friend in the UK.

Keep up the good work.

[ninjazachy06]

Wish I could have been there! I live over in AZ. If there's anyway I could help out though, let me know.

[aajoeyjo]

Sure you can help out anywhere you can get online! :o)

Our website has Paypal and more videos and still pics and a ton of more info. There are lots of ways to help out, not just with money, but that helps. :o)

[ninjazachy06]

Cool, I will definitely be donating then!

And I'll check out the site.

[wimvandenberghe]

@ninjazachy06

I donated and I live all the way over in Sweden. ;-)

[ninjazachy06]

Haha. Wow, that's awesome.

[HippieKnight]

Great work!

[RedDaVincy]

Watch out for people getting stuff twice, the second time with a fake moustache :|)

[Cowinspace]

Keep up the good work.